Chinese Angelica-Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Angelica-Tree
• Chinese angelica tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leea spinosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Araliaceae and the genus Aralia. Specifically, its scientific name is Aralia chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning from Europe to various regions of Asia. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is also found growing in Germany. Within its native Asian territory, the species is widely distributed across China South-Central. Additionally, the plant inhabits the Southeast regions of China as well as the island of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aralia chinensis is characterized by a highly specialized niche within montane ecosystems, specifically adapted to high-altitude environments. This species thrives within a restricted elevational range, predominantly occurring at altitudes between 2000 m AMSL and 2100 m AMSL. This narrow vertical distribution suggests that the plant is highly sensitive to specific thermic and atmospheric conditions found only within this 100-meter altitudinal band. Such a precise ecological requirement implies that the species relies on stable microclimates, likely influenced by specific moisture regimes and temperature gradients characteristic of these high-elevation zones.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aralia chinensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem tissue above the ground level, though it can also be described within the context of a nanophanerophyte depending on the specific growth stage or environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural lifecycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aralia chinensis is characterized by its growth form, which can manifest as a shrub or a small tree depending on environmental conditions. It is a woody species that maintains a self-supporting structure, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. While its habitat is primarily terrestrial, it occupies niches ranging from terrestrial to semiaquatic environments. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as lianas or vines, maintaining a robust, upright presence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aralia chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. The morphological aspects of its foliage include elliptic leaf forms that are defined by finely toothed leaf margins. In terms of protective integumentary structures, the plant does not possess leaf thorns, although it is distinguished by the presence of leaf spines.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aralia chinensis is characterized by the production of small, specialized seeds that play a critical role in its life cycle. Morphological analysis of the seeds reveals a highly consistent size distribution, with a measured seed mass mean of approximately 0.001303333 g. The variation within the seed population is relatively narrow, as evidenced by a seed mass minimum of 0.00118 g and a seed mass maximum of 0.00149 g. This precise range in mass suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy aimed at optimizing seedling establishment through consistent nutrient provisioning within each individual seed unit.

Seed mass max:

0.00149 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001303333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00118 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aralia chinensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Aralia chinensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Elatoside C.

Elatoside C

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease

Conditions

Aralia chinensis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include atherosclerosis, hepatitis, neurasthenia, rheumatism.

Atherosclerosis

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neurasthenia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Aralia chinensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem.

Stem

1. Natural product research